The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-11-17

thorough personal search 20 prevent her from
carrying any contraband articles over the lines
and, la spite of this, many an ounce Of quinine
or other thing as sorely needed found its way
10 the suffering rebels in some ingenious pad
ding or amid the folds Of deftly- plated skirts.
by degrees we became accustomed 20 the
sight of the odious Yankees, aud even began
90 believe that, like Satan. they were not as
black as they were painted" Individually
they were eager 10 make friends with us, and
when not repulsed were altogether pleasant.
The officers were gay and gallant. There
was a dearth Of other beaux, and women must
nirt as well as weep. Then, they had an ad-
yocaie in every household who pleaded for
them day and night and whose voice would
not be hushed. oh, we were so hungry! so
tired of corn bread and corn coffee, corn soup
and corn stew, corn cake aud corn pudding.
Many OF us had not tasted a crumb OF wheat
bread in months, and we fairly pined for IT, We
had nearly forgotten the flavor of ham and
bacon. In short
WE HAD NOTHING TO EAT
during the blockade but the fresh products Of
the country around us. The Yankees brought
stores Of provisions OF all kinds, aud they were
10 be obtained literally for the asking.
To his everlasting credit be il said, it was
only necessary for the helpless poor TO
say 10 Gen. Butler, We suffer-" and the
powerful hand which fell on their follies
like the paw of bear was stretched forth
in their need gently for their relief. The
free markets he established are described in
history, but many deeds of unrecorded charity
are associated with Buffers name in the hearts
OF those who were as the widowed and the
fatherless in the dark days Of the surrender.
However. hungry as We were, IL must not be
supposed chat we succumbed without n struggle
10 the demands Of our stomachs. Many held
on TO their corn-dOdgers for quite while, and
regarded with scorn those who purchased or
accepted food from the Yankees.
An incident illustrative Of this comes to
mind. Madame B was a wealthy widow,
atrile past middle age. She was an enthusiastic,
ardent rebel, and a genuine Creole aristocrat.
Her hospitable mansion was a sort of head
quarters, where her acquaintances met to dis
cuss war issues. Only French was spoken. aud
after the surrender these gatherings seemed
Go have the air that must have prevailed i'm the
drawing-rooms of the old monarchists in France
during the Empire of the First Napoleon.
There was always certain TO be some interest
ing parsonage present. At this time she was
entertaining an old Cuban General, an exile
from his native island, who was supposed TO
have on his mind political enterprise of great
pith and moment He disclosed nothing of il
though, and devoted much Of his time TO the
amusement of his lady friends. One of the
amiable things he did for our pleasure was
fashioning flowers out Of various vegetables.
They We're very pretty, and as delicate as wax
work. A few days after the surrender group
sat in Madame B.'s parlor discussing the situa-
tion with mOurnful earnestness. Madame C.,
a frequent guest, and one of the chief con-
spirators, was not present. This was remarked,
and some one inquired for her: "Oh, my
friend" answered Madame b., shave you not
heard Madame C. is
BUYING BREAD FROM THE YANKEEs?"
Everyone present made an exclamation of sur
prise and disapprOyal. The old General quite
spoiled rose he was artistically carving out
OF a tunip. This lapse on Madame C.'s part